Endgame
Endgame
A PLAY IN ONE ACT
A PLAY IN ONE ACT
By
By
Samuel Beckett
Samuel Beckett
Bare interior. Bare interior. Grey Light. Grey Light.Left and right back, high up, two small windows, curtains drawn. Left and right back, high up, two small windows, curtains drawn.
Front right, a door. Hanging near door, its face to wall, a picture. Front right, a door. Hanging near door, its face to wall, a picture.
Front left, touching each other, covered with an old sheet, two ashbins. Front left, touching each other, covered with an old sheet, two ashbins.
Center, in an armchair on castors, covered
Center, in an armchair on castors, covered with an old sheet, Hamm.with an old sheet, Hamm.
otionless by the door, his eyes fi!ed on Hamm, Clov. "ery red face. otionless by the door, his eyes fi!ed on Hamm, Clov. "ery red face.
Brief tableau. Brief tableau.
Clov goes and stands under window
Clov goes and stands under window left. #tiff, staggering walk. He looks up at window left. #tiff, staggering walk. He looks up at window left. Heleft. He turns and looks at window right. He goes and stands under window right. He looks up at window turns and looks at window right. He goes and stands under window right. He looks up at window right. He turns and looks at window left. He
right. He turns and looks at window left. He goes out, comes back goes out, comes back immediately with a small step$immediately with a small step$ ladder, carries it over and sets it down und
ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window left, gets up on it, draws er window left, gets up on it, draws back curtain. Heback curtain. He gets down, takes si! steps %for e!ample& towards window right, goes back for ladder, carri gets down, takes si! steps %for e!ample& towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries ites it
over and sets it down under window right, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He gets down, takes over and sets it down under window right, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He gets down, takes three steps towards window left, goes back for ladder,
three steps towards window left, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down undercarries it over and sets it down under window left, gets up on it, looks
window left, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets dout of window. Brief laugh. He gets down, takes one stepown, takes one step
towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window right, towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window right, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets down, goes with ladder towards ashbins, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets down, goes with ladder towards ashbins,
halts, turns, carries back ladder and sets it down un
halts, turns, carries back ladder and sets it down un der window right, goes to ashbins, removesder window right, goes to ashbins, removes sheet covering them, folds it over his arm. He raises one lid, stoops
sheet covering them, folds it over his arm. He raises one lid, stoops and looks into bin. Briefand looks into bin. Brief laugh. He closes lid. #ame with other
laugh. He closes lid. #ame with other bin. He goes to Hamm, removes sheet bin. He goes to Hamm, removes sheet covering him, foldscovering him, folds it over his arm. 'n a dressing$gown, a stiff t
it over his arm. 'n a dressing$gown, a stiff to(ue on his head, a large blood$stained handkerchiefo(ue on his head, a large blood$stained handkerchief over his face, a whistle hanging
over his face, a whistle hanging from his neck, a rug over hfrom his neck, a rug over his knees, thick socks on his feet,is knees, thick socks on his feet, Hamm seems to be asleep. Clov looks him over. Brief laugh. He goes to door, halts, turns Hamm seems to be asleep. Clov looks him over. Brief laugh. He goes to door, halts, turns
towards auditorium. towards auditorium.
CLOV
CLOV %fi!ed ga)e, tonelessly&%fi!ed ga)e, tonelessly&::
Finished, its !inished, nea"ly !inished, it must #e nea"ly !inished$ Finished, its !inished, nea"ly !inished, it must #e nea"ly !inished$ %*ause.&
%*ause.&
%"ain u&'n g"ain, 'ne #y 'ne, and 'ne day, suddenly, the"es a hea&, a little hea&, the %"ain u&'n g"ain, 'ne #y 'ne, and 'ne day, suddenly, the"es a hea&, a little hea&, the im&'ssi#le hea&$
im&'ssi#le hea&$ %*ause.&
%*ause.&
I cant #e &unished any m'"e$ I cant #e &unished any m'"e$ %*ause.&
%*ause.&
Ill g' n'( t' my kitchen,
Ill g' n'( t' my kitchen, ten !eet #y ten !eet #y ten !eet #y ten !eet #y ten !eet, and (ait !'" him t' ten !eet, and (ait !'" him t' (histle me$(histle me$ %*ause.&
%*ause.&
Nice dimensi'ns, nice &"'&'"ti'ns, Ill lean 'n the ta#le, and l''k at the (all, and (ait !'" Nice dimensi'ns, nice &"'&'"ti'ns, Ill lean 'n the ta#le, and l''k at the (all, and (ait !'"
him t' (histle me$ him t' (histle me$
%He remains a moment motionless, then goes out. He comes back immediately, goes to %He remains a moment motionless, then goes out. He comes back immediately, goes to window right, takes up the ladder and carries it out. *ause. Hamm stirs. He yawns under window right, takes up the ladder and carries it out. *ause. Hamm stirs. He yawns under the handkerchief. He removes the handkerchief from his face. "ery red face. Glasses with the handkerchief. He removes the handkerchief from his face. "ery red face. Glasses with black lenses.& black lenses.& HAMM HAMM:: )e* )e* %he yawns& %he yawns& *t' &lay$ *t' &lay$
%He takes off his glasses, wipes his eyes, his face, the glasses, puts them on again, folds %He takes off his glasses, wipes his eyes, his face, the glasses, puts them on again, folds the handkerchief and puts it back neatly in the breast pocket of his dressing gown. He the handkerchief and puts it back neatly in the breast pocket of his dressing gown. He clears his throat, +oins the tips of his fingers.&
clears his throat, +oins the tips of his fingers.& Can the"e #e mise"y*
Can the"e #e mise"y* %he yawns&
%he yawns&
*l'!tie" than mine+ N' d'u#t$ F'"me"ly$ But n'(+ *l'!tie" than mine+ N' d'u#t$ F'"me"ly$ But n'(+
Clov goes and stands under window
Clov goes and stands under window left. #tiff, staggering walk. He looks up at window left. #tiff, staggering walk. He looks up at window left. Heleft. He turns and looks at window right. He goes and stands under window right. He looks up at window turns and looks at window right. He goes and stands under window right. He looks up at window right. He turns and looks at window left. He
right. He turns and looks at window left. He goes out, comes back goes out, comes back immediately with a small step$immediately with a small step$ ladder, carries it over and sets it down und
ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window left, gets up on it, draws er window left, gets up on it, draws back curtain. Heback curtain. He gets down, takes si! steps %for e!ample& towards window right, goes back for ladder, carri gets down, takes si! steps %for e!ample& towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries ites it
over and sets it down under window right, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He gets down, takes over and sets it down under window right, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He gets down, takes three steps towards window left, goes back for ladder,
three steps towards window left, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down undercarries it over and sets it down under window left, gets up on it, looks
window left, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets dout of window. Brief laugh. He gets down, takes one stepown, takes one step
towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window right, towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window right, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets down, goes with ladder towards ashbins, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets down, goes with ladder towards ashbins,
halts, turns, carries back ladder and sets it down un
halts, turns, carries back ladder and sets it down un der window right, goes to ashbins, removesder window right, goes to ashbins, removes sheet covering them, folds it over his arm. He raises one lid, stoops
sheet covering them, folds it over his arm. He raises one lid, stoops and looks into bin. Briefand looks into bin. Brief laugh. He closes lid. #ame with other
laugh. He closes lid. #ame with other bin. He goes to Hamm, removes sheet bin. He goes to Hamm, removes sheet covering him, foldscovering him, folds it over his arm. 'n a dressing$gown, a stiff t
it over his arm. 'n a dressing$gown, a stiff to(ue on his head, a large blood$stained handkerchiefo(ue on his head, a large blood$stained handkerchief over his face, a whistle hanging
over his face, a whistle hanging from his neck, a rug over hfrom his neck, a rug over his knees, thick socks on his feet,is knees, thick socks on his feet, Hamm seems to be asleep. Clov looks him over. Brief laugh. He goes to door, halts, turns Hamm seems to be asleep. Clov looks him over. Brief laugh. He goes to door, halts, turns
towards auditorium. towards auditorium.
CLOV
CLOV %fi!ed ga)e, tonelessly&%fi!ed ga)e, tonelessly&::
Finished, its !inished, nea"ly !inished, it must #e nea"ly !inished$ Finished, its !inished, nea"ly !inished, it must #e nea"ly !inished$ %*ause.&
%*ause.&
%"ain u&'n g"ain, 'ne #y 'ne, and 'ne day, suddenly, the"es a hea&, a little hea&, the %"ain u&'n g"ain, 'ne #y 'ne, and 'ne day, suddenly, the"es a hea&, a little hea&, the im&'ssi#le hea&$
im&'ssi#le hea&$ %*ause.&
%*ause.&
I cant #e &unished any m'"e$ I cant #e &unished any m'"e$ %*ause.&
%*ause.&
Ill g' n'( t' my kitchen,
Ill g' n'( t' my kitchen, ten !eet #y ten !eet #y ten !eet #y ten !eet #y ten !eet, and (ait !'" him t' ten !eet, and (ait !'" him t' (histle me$(histle me$ %*ause.&
%*ause.&
Nice dimensi'ns, nice &"'&'"ti'ns, Ill lean 'n the ta#le, and l''k at the (all, and (ait !'" Nice dimensi'ns, nice &"'&'"ti'ns, Ill lean 'n the ta#le, and l''k at the (all, and (ait !'"
him t' (histle me$ him t' (histle me$
%He remains a moment motionless, then goes out. He comes back immediately, goes to %He remains a moment motionless, then goes out. He comes back immediately, goes to window right, takes up the ladder and carries it out. *ause. Hamm stirs. He yawns under window right, takes up the ladder and carries it out. *ause. Hamm stirs. He yawns under the handkerchief. He removes the handkerchief from his face. "ery red face. Glasses with the handkerchief. He removes the handkerchief from his face. "ery red face. Glasses with black lenses.& black lenses.& HAMM HAMM:: )e* )e* %he yawns& %he yawns& *t' &lay$ *t' &lay$
%He takes off his glasses, wipes his eyes, his face, the glasses, puts them on again, folds %He takes off his glasses, wipes his eyes, his face, the glasses, puts them on again, folds the handkerchief and puts it back neatly in the breast pocket of his dressing gown. He the handkerchief and puts it back neatly in the breast pocket of his dressing gown. He clears his throat, +oins the tips of his fingers.&
clears his throat, +oins the tips of his fingers.& Can the"e #e mise"y*
Can the"e #e mise"y* %he yawns&
%he yawns&
*l'!tie" than mine+ N' d'u#t$ F'"me"ly$ But n'(+ *l'!tie" than mine+ N' d'u#t$ F'"me"ly$ But n'(+
%*ause.& %*ause.& )y !athe"+ )y !athe"+ %*ause.& %*ause.& )y m'the"+ )y m'the"+ %*ause.& %*ause.& )y$$$ d'g+ )y$$$ d'g+ %*ause.& %*ause.&
Oh I am (illing t' #eliee they
Oh I am (illing t' #eliee they su!!e" as much as such c"eatu"es can su!!e" as much as such c"eatu"es can su!!e"$ But d'es thatsu!!e"$ But d'es that mean thei" su!!e"ings e-ual mine+ N' d'u#t$
mean thei" su!!e"ings e-ual mine+ N' d'u#t$ %*ause.& %*ause.& N', all is a* N', all is a* %he yawns& %he yawns& *#s'lute, *#s'lute, %proudly& %proudly&
the #igge" a man is the !ulle" he is$ the #igge" a man is the !ulle" he is$ %*ause. Gloomily.&
%*ause. Gloomily.& And the em&tie"$ And the em&tie"$ %He sniffs.& %He sniffs.& Cl'. Cl'. %*ause.& %*ause.& N', al'ne$ N', al'ne$ %*ause.& %*ause.&
/hat d"eams. Th'se !'"ests. /hat d"eams. Th'se !'"ests. %*ause.&
%*ause.&
En'ugh, its time it ended, in the
En'ugh, its time it ended, in the shelte", t''$shelte", t''$ %*ause.&
%*ause.&
And yet I hesitate, I hesitate t'$$$ t'
And yet I hesitate, I hesitate t'$$$ t' end$ Yes, the"e it is, its time it ended end$ Yes, the"e it is, its time it ended and yet Iand yet I hesitate t'* hesitate t'* %He yawns.& %He yawns.& *t' end$ *t' end$ %awns.& %awns.&
%'d, Im ti"ed, Id #e #ette" '!! in %'d, Im ti"ed, Id #e #ette" '!! in #ed$#ed$
%He whistles. -nter Clov immediately. He halts beside the chair.& %He whistles. -nter Clov immediately. He halts beside the chair.& Y'u &'llute the ai".
Y'u &'llute the ai". %*ause.&
%*ause.&
%et me "eady, Im g'ing t' #ed$ %et me "eady, Im g'ing t' #ed$
CLOV CLOV::
Ie 0ust g't y'u u&$ Ie 0ust g't y'u u&$
HAMM HAMM::
And (hat '! it+ And (hat '! it+
CLOV CLOV::
I cant #e getting y'u u& and &utting y'u t' #ed ee"y !ie minutes, I hae things t' d'$ I cant #e getting y'u u& and &utting y'u t' #ed ee"y !ie minutes, I hae things t' d'$ %*ause.&
%*ause.&
HAMM HAMM::
1id y'u ee" see my eyes+ 1id y'u ee" see my eyes+
CLOV CLOV::
N'$
HAMM:
1id y'u nee" hae the cu"i'sity, (hile I (as slee&ing, t' take '!! my glasses and l''k at my eyes+
CLOV:
Pulling #ack the lids+ %*ause.&
N'$
HAMM:
One '! these days Ill sh'( them t' y'u$ %*ause.&
It seems theye g'ne all (hite$ %*ause.&
/hat time is it+
CLOV:
The same as usual$
HAMM %gesture towards window right&:
2ae y'u l''ked+
CLOV: Yes$ HAMM: /ell+ CLOV: 3e"'$ HAMM:
Itd need t' "ain$
CLOV:
It ('nt "ain$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
A&a"t !"'m that, h'( d' y'u !eel+
CLOV:
I d'nt c'm&lain$
HAMM:
Y'u !eel n'"mal+
CLOV %irritably&:
I tell y'u I d'nt c'm&lain$
HAMM:
I !eel a little st"ange$ %*ause.&
Cl'.
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
2ae y'u n't had en'ugh+
Yes. %*ause.& O! (hat+
HAMM:
O! this$$$ this$$$ thing$
CLOV:
I al(ays had$ %*ause.& N't y'u+
HAMM %gloomily&:
Then the"es n' "eas'n !'" it t' change$
CLOV:
It may end$ %*ause.&
All li!e l'ng the same -uesti'ns, the same ans(e"s$
HAMM:
%et me "eady$
%Clov does not move.& %' and get the sheet$ %Clov does not move.& Cl'.
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
Ill gie y'u n'thing m'"e t' eat$
CLOV:
Then (ell die$
HAMM:
Ill gie y'u 0ust en'ugh t' kee& y'u !"'m dying$ Y'ull #e hung"y all the time$
CLOV:
Then (e ('nt die$ %*ause.&
Ill g' and get the sheet$ %He goes towards the door.&
HAMM:
N'.
%Clov halts.&
Ill gie y'u 'ne #iscuit &e" day$ %*ause.&
One and a hal!$ %*ause.&
/hy d' y'u stay (ith me+
CLOV:
/hy d' y'u kee& me+
HAMM:
CLOV:
The"es n'(he"e else$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
Y'u"e leaing me all the same$
CLOV:
Im t"ying$
HAMM:
Y'u d'nt l'e me$
CLOV:
N'$
HAMM:
Y'u l'ed me 'nce$
CLOV:
Once.
HAMM:
Ie made y'u su!!e" t'' much$ %*ause.&
2aent I+
CLOV:
Its n't that$
HAMM:
I haent made y'u su!!e" t'' much+
CLOV:
Yes.
HAMM %relieved&:
Ah, y'u gae me a !"ight. %*ause. Coldly&
F'"gie me$ %*ause. Louder.& I said, F'"gie me$
CLOV:
I hea"d y'u$ %*ause.&
2ae y'u #led+
HAMM: Less$ %*ause.& Is it n't time !'" my &ain4kille"+ CLOV: N'$ %*ause.& HAMM:
2'( a"e y'u" eyes+
CLOV:
HAMM:
2'( a"e y'u" legs+
CLOV:
Bad$
HAMM:
But y'u can m'e$
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM %violently&:
Then m'e.
%Clov goes to back wall, leans against it with his forehead and hands.& /he"e a"e y'u+
CLOV:
2e"e$
HAMM:
C'me #ack.
%Clov returns to his place beside the chair.& /he"e a"e y'u+
CLOV:
2e"e$
HAMM:
/hy d'nt y'u kill me+
CLOV:
I d'nt kn'( the c'm#inati'n '! the cu&#'a"d$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
%' and get t(' #icycle4(heels$
CLOV:
The"e a"e n' m'"e #icycle4(heels$
HAMM:
/hat hae y'u d'ne (ith y'u" #icycle+
CLOV:
I nee" had a #icycle$
HAMM:
The thing is im&'ssi#le$
CLOV:
/hen the"e (e"e still #icycles I (e&t t' hae 'ne$ I c"a(led at y'u" !eet$ Y'u t'ld me t' g' t' hell$ N'( the"e a"e n'ne$
HAMM:
And y'u" "'unds+ /hen y'u ins&ected my &au&e"s$ Al(ays 'n !''t+
CLOV:
S'metimes 'n h'"se$
%he lid of one of the bins lifts and the hands of /agg appear,
gripping the rim. hen his head emerges. /ightcap. "ery white face. /agg yawns, then listens.&
HAMM:
In y'u" kitchen+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
Outside '! he"e its death$ %*ause.&
All "ight, #e '!!$ %-!it Clov. *ause.& /e"e getting 'n$ NAGG: )e &a&. HAMM: Accu"sed &"'genit'". NAGG: )e &a&. HAMM:
The 'ld !'lks at h'me. N' decency le!t. %u55le, gu55le, thats all they think '!$ %He whistles. -nter Clov. He halts beside the chair.&
/ell. I th'ught y'u (e"e leaing me$
CLOV:
Oh n't 0ust yet, n't 0ust yet$
NAGG:
)e &a&.
HAMM:
%ie him his &a&$
CLOV:
The"es n' m'"e &a&$
HAMM %to /agg&:
1' y'u hea" that+ The"es n' m'"e &a&$ Y'ull nee" get any m'"e &a&$
NAGG:
I (ant me &a&.
HAMM:
%ie him a #iscuit$ %-!it Clov.&
Accu"sed !'"nicat'". 2'( a"e y'u" stum&s+
NAGG:
Nee" mind me stum&s$ %-nter Clov with biscuit.&
CLOV:
Im #ack again, (ith the #iscuit$
%He gives biscuit to /agg who fingers it, sniffs it.&
NAGG %plaintively&:
/hat is it+
CLOV:
NAGG %as before&:
Its ha"d. I cant.
HAMM:
B'ttle him.
%Clov pushes /agg back into the bin, closes the lid.&
CLOV %returning to his place beside the chair&:
I! age #ut kne(.
HAMM:
Sit 'n him.
CLOV:
I cant sit$
HAMM:
T"ue$ And I cant stand$
CLOV:
S' it is$
HAMM:
Ee"y man his s&ecialty$ %*ause.&
N' &h'ne calls+ %*ause.&
1'nt (e laugh+
CLOV %after reflection&:
I d'nt !eel like it$
HAMM %after reflection&:
N'" I$ %*ause.& Cl'. CLOV: Yes$ HAMM:
Natu"e has !'"g'tten us$
CLOV:
The"es n' m'"e natu"e$
HAMM:
N' m'"e natu"e. Y'u e6agge"ate$
CLOV:
In the icinity$
HAMM:
But (e #"eathe, (e change. /e l'se 'u" hai", 'u" teeth. Ou" #l''m. Ou" ideals.
CLOV:
Then she hasnt !'"g'tten us$
HAMM:
But y'u say the"e is n'ne$
CLOV %sadly&:
N' 'ne that ee" lied ee" th'ught s' c"''ked as (e$
/e d' (hat (e can$
CLOV:
/e sh'uldnt$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
Y'u"e a #it '! all "ight, a"ent y'u+
CLOV: A smithe"een$ %*ause.& HAMM: This is sl'( ('"k$ %*ause.& Is it n't time !'" my &ain4kille"+ CLOV: N'$ %*ause.&
Ill leae y'u, I hae things t' d'$
HAMM:
In y'u" kitchen+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
/hat, Id like t' kn'($
CLOV:
I l''k at the (all$
HAMM:
The (all. And (hat d' y'u see 'n y'u" (all+ )ene, mene+ Naked #'dies+
CLOV:
I see my light dying$
HAMM:
Y'u" light dying. Listen t' that. /ell, it can die 0ust as (ell he"e, y'u" light$ Take a l''k at me and then c'me #ack and tell me (hat y'u think '! y'u" light$
%*ause.&
CLOV:
Y'u sh'uldnt s&eak t' me like that$ %*ause.&
HAMM %coldly&:
F'"gie me$ %*ause. Louder.& I said, F'"gie me$
CLOV:
I hea"d y'u$
%he lid of /agg0s bin lifts. His hands appear, gripping the rim. hen his head emerges. 'n his mouth the biscuit. He listens.&
HAMM:
CLOV:
N'$
HAMM:
1id y'u sc"atch "'und them t' see i! they had s&"'uted+
CLOV:
They haent s&"'uted$
HAMM:
Pe"ha&s its still t'' ea"ly$
CLOV:
I! they (e"e g'ing t' s&"'ut they ('uld hae s&"'uted$ %"iolently.&
Theyll nee" s&"'ut.
%*ause. /agg takes biscuit in his hand.&
HAMM:
This is n't much !un$ %*ause.&
But thats al(ays the (ay at the end '! the day, isnt it, Cl'+
CLOV:
Al(ays$
HAMM:
Its the end '! the day like any 'the" day, isnt it, Cl'+
CLOV:
L''ks like it$ %*ause.&
HAMM %anguished&:
/hats ha&&ening, (hats ha&&ening+
CLOV:
S'mething is taking its c'u"se$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
All "ight, #e '!!$
%He leans back in his chair, remains motionless. Clov does not move, heaves a great groaning sigh. Hamm sits up.&
I th'ught I t'ld y'u t' #e '!!$
CLOV:
Im t"ying$
%He goes to the door, halts.& Ee" since I (as (hel&ed$ %-!it Clov.&
HAMM:
/e"e getting 'n$
%He leans back in his chair, remains motionless. /agg knocks on the lid of the other bin. *ause. He knocks harder. he lid lifts and the hands of /ell appear, gripping the rim.
hen her head emerges. Lace cap. "ery white face.&
NELL:
%*ause.&
Time !'" l'e+
NAGG:
/e"e y'u aslee&+
NELL: Oh n'. NAGG: 7iss me$ NELL: /e cant$ NAGG: T"y$
%heir heads strain towards each other, fail to meet, fall ap art again.&
NELL:
/hy this !a"ce, day a!te" day+ %*ause.& NAGG: Ie l'st me t''th$ NELL: /hen+ NAGG: I had it yeste"day$ NELL %elegiac&: Ah yeste"day$
%hey turn painfully towards each other.&
NAGG:
Can y'u see me+
NELL:
2a"dly$ And y'u+
NAGG:
/hat+
NELL:
Can y'u see me+
NAGG:
2a"dly$
NELL:
S' much the #ette", s' much the #ette"$
NAGG:
1'nt say that$ %*ause.&
Ou" sight has !ailed$
NELL:
Yes$
%*ause. hey turn away from each other.&
NAGG:
NELL:
Yes$ And y'u+
NAGG:
Yes$ %*ause.&
Ou" hea"ing hasnt !ailed$
NELL: Ou" (hat+ NAGG: Ou" hea"ing$ NELL: N'$ %*ause.&
2ae y'u anything else t' say t' me+
NAGG:
1' y'u "emem#e"*
NELL:
N'$
NAGG:
/hen (e c"ashed 'n 'u" tandem and l'st 'u" shanks$ %hey laugh heartily.&
NELL:
It (as in the A"dennes$ %hey laugh less heartily.&
NAGG:
On the "'ad t' Sedan$
%hey laugh still less heartily.& A"e y'u c'ld+
NELL:
Yes, &e"ished, and y'u+
NAGG:
%*ause.& Im !"ee5ing$ %*ause.&
1' y'u (ant t' g' in+
NELL:
Yes$
NAGG:
Then g' in$
%/ell does not move.& /hy d'nt y'u g' in+
NELL:
I d'nt kn'($ %*ause.&
NAGG:
NELL:
It isnt sa(dust$ %*ause. 1arily.&
Can y'u n't #e a little accu"ate, Nagg+
NAGG:
Y'u" sand then$ Its n't im&'"tant$
NELL:
It is im&'"tant$ %*ause.&
NAGG:
It (as sa(dust 'nce$
NELL:
Once.
NAGG:
And n'( its sand$ %*ause.&
F"'m the sh'"e$ %*ause. 'mpatiently.&
N'( its sand he !etches !"'m the sh'"e$
NELL:
N'( its sand$
NAGG:
2as he changed y'u"s+
NELL: N'$ NAGG: N'" mine$ %*ause.& I ('nt hae it.
%*ause. Holding up the biscuit.& 1' y'u (ant a #it+
NELL:
N'$ %*ause.& O! (hat+
NAGG:
Biscuit$ Ie ke&t y'u hal!$
%He looks at the biscuit. *roudly.& Th"ee -ua"te"s$ F'" y'u$ 2e"e$ %He proffers the biscuit.&
N'+ %*ause.&
1' y'u n't !eel (ell+
HAMM %wearily&:
8uiet, -uiet, y'u"e kee&ing me a(ake$ %*ause.&
Talk s'!te"$ %*ause.&
I! I c'uld slee& I might make l'e$ Id g' int' the (''ds$ )y eyes ('uld see$$$ the sky, the ea"th$ Id "un, "un, they ('uldnt catch me$
%*ause.& Natu"e.
%*ause.&
The"es s'mething d"i&&ing in my head$ %*ause.&
A hea"t, a hea"t in my head$ %*ause.&
NAGG:
1' y'u hea" him+ A hea"t in his head. %He chuckles cautiously.&
NELL:
One mustnt laugh at th'se things, Nagg$ /hy must y'u al(ays laugh at them+
NAGG:
N't s' l'ud.
NELL %without lowering her voice&:
N'thing is !unnie" than unha&&iness, I g"ant y'u that$ But*
NAGG %shocked&:
Oh.
NELL:
Yes, yes, its the m'st c'mical thing in the ('"ld$ And (e laugh, (e laugh, (ith a (ill, in the #eginning$ But its al(ays the same thing$ Yes, its like the !unny st'"y (e hae hea"d t'' '!ten, (e still !ind it !unny, #ut (e d'nt laugh any m'"e$
%*ause.&
2ae y'u anything else t' say t' me+
NAGG:
N'$
NELL:
A"e y'u -uite su"e+ %*ause.&
Then Ill leae y'u$
NAGG:
1' y'u n't (ant y'u" #iscuit+ %*ause.&
Ill kee& it !'" y'u$ %*ause.&
I th'ught y'u (e"e g'ing t' leae me$
NELL:
I am g'ing t' leae y'u$
NAGG:
C'uld y'u gie me a sc"atch #e!'"e y'u g'+
NELL:
%*ause.& /he"e+ NAGG: In the #ack$ NELL: N'$ %*ause.&
9u# y'u"sel! against the "im$
NAGG:
Its l'(e" d'(n$ In the h'll'($
NELL: /hat h'll'(+ NAGG: The h'll'(. %*ause.& C'uld y'u n't+ %*ause.&
Yeste"day y'u sc"atched me the"e$
NELL %elegiac&:
Ah yeste"day$
NAGG:
C'uld y'u n't+ %*ause.&
/'uld y'u like me t' sc"atch y'u+ %*ause.&
A"e y'u c"ying again+
NELL:
I (as t"ying$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
Pe"ha&s its a little ein$ %*ause.&
NAGG:
/hat (as that he said+
NELL:
Pe"ha&s its a little ein$
NAGG:
/hat d'es that mean+ %*ause.&
That means n'thing$ %*ause.&
Shall I tell y'u the st'"y '! the tail'"+
NELL:
N'$ %*ause.& /hat !'"+
NAGG:
T' chee" y'u u&$
NELL:
Its n't !unny$
NAGG:
It al(ays made y'u laugh$ %*ause.&
The !i"st time I th'ught y'ud die$
NELL:
It (as 'n Lake C'm'$ %*ause.&
One A&"il a!te"n''n$ %*ause.&
Can y'u #eliee it+
NAGG:
/hat+
NELL:
That (e 'nce (ent 'ut "'(ing 'n Lake C'm'$ %*ause.&
One A&"il a!te"n''n$
NAGG:
/e had g't engaged the day #e!'"e$
NELL:
Engaged.
NAGG:
Y'u (e"e in such !its that (e ca&si5ed$ By "ights (e sh'uld hae #een d"'(ned$
NELL:
It (as #ecause I !elt ha&&y$
NAGG %indignant&:
It (as n't, it (as n't, it (as my STO9Y and n'thing else$ 2a&&y. 1'nt y'u laugh at it still+ Ee"y time I tell it$ 2a&&y.
NELL:
It (as dee&, dee&$ And y'u c'uld see d'(n t' the #'tt'm$ S' (hite$ S' clean$
NAGG:
Let me tell it again$ %2aconteur0s voice.&
An Englishman, needing a &ai" '! st"i&ed t"'use"s in a hu""y !'" the Ne( Yea" !estiities, g'es t' his tail'" (h' takes his measu"ements$
%ailor0s voice.&
Thats the l't, c'me #ack in !'u" days, Ill hae it "eady$ %''d$ F'u" days late"$ %ailor0s voice.&
S' s'""y, c'me #ack in a (eek, Ie made a mess '! the seat$ %''d, thats all "ight, a neat seat can #e e"y ticklish$ A (eek late"$
%ailor0s voice.&
F"ight!ully s'""y, c'me #ack in ten days, Ie made a hash '! the c"'tch$ %''d, cant #e hel&ed, a snug c"'tch is al(ays a tease"$ Ten days late"$
%ailor0s voice.&
1"ead!ully s'""y, c'me #ack in a !'"tnight, Ie made a #alls '! the !ly$ %''d, at a &inch, a sma"t !ly is a sti!! &"'&'siti'n$
%*ause. /ormal voice.& I nee" t'ld it ('"se$ %*ause. Gloomy.&
I tell this st'"y ('"se and ('"se$ %*ause. 2aconteur0s voice.&
/ell, t' make it sh'"t, the #lue#ells a"e #l'(ing and he #all'ckses the #utt'nh'les$ %Customer0s voice.&
%'d damn y'u t' hell, Si", n', its indecent, the"e a"e limits. In si6 days, d' y'u hea" me, si6 days, %'d made the ('"ld$ Yes Si", n' less Si", the /O9L1. And y'u a"e n't #l''dy (ell ca&a#le '! making me a &ai" '! t"'use"s in th"ee m'nths.
%ailor0s voice, scandali)ed.&
But my dea" Si", my dea" Si", l''k* %disdainful gesture, disgustedly&
*at the ('"ld* %*ause.&
and l''k*
%loving gesture, proudly& *at my T9O;SE9S.
%*ause. He looks at /ell who has remained impassive, her eyes unseeing. He breaks into a high forced laugh, cuts it short, pokes his head towards /ell, launches his laugh
again.&
HAMM:
Silence.
%/agg starts, cuts short his laugh.&
NELL:
Y'u c'uld see d'(n t' the #'tt'm$
HAMM %e!asperated&:
2ae y'u n't !inished+ /ill y'u nee" !inish+ %1ith sudden fury.&
/ill this nee" !inish+
%/agg disappears into his bin, closes the lid behind him. /ell does not move. Fren)iedly.& )y kingd'm !'" a nightman.
%He whistles. -nter Clov.&
Clea" a(ay this muck. Chuck it in the sea. %Clov goes to bins, halts.&
NELL:
S' (hite$
HAMM:
/hat+ /hats she #lathe"ing a#'ut+
%Clov stoops, takes /ell0s hand, feels her pulse.&
NELL %to Clov&:
1ese"t.
CLOV %returning to his place beside the chair&:
She has n' &ulse$
HAMM:
/hat (as she d"ielling a#'ut+
CLOV:
She t'ld me t' g' a(ay, int' the dese"t$
HAMM:
1amn #usy#'dy. Is that all+
CLOV: N'$ HAMM: /hat else+ CLOV: I didnt unde"stand$ HAMM:
2ae y'u #'ttled he"+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
A"e they #'th #'ttled+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
Sc"e( d'(n the lids$ %Clov goes towards door.& Time en'ugh$
%Clov halts.&
)y ange" su#sides, Id like t' &ee$
CLOV %with alacrity&:
Ill g' get the cathete"$ %He goes towards door.&
HAMM:
Time en'ugh$ %Clov halts.&
%ie me my &ain kille"$
CLOV:
Its t'' s''n$ %*ause.&
Its t'' s''n 'n t'& '! y'u" t'nic, it ('uldnt act$
HAMM:
In the m'"ning they #"ace y'u u& and in the eening they calm y'u d'(n$ ;nless its the 'the" (ay "'und$
%*ause.&
That 'ld d'ct'", hes dead natu"ally+
CLOV:
HAMM:
But hes dead+
CLOV:
Natu"ally$ %*ause.&
Y'u ask me that+ %*ause.&
HAMM:
Take me !'" a little tu"n$
%Clov goes behind the chair and pushes it forward.& N't t'' !ast.
%Clov pushes chair.& 9ight "'und the ('"ld. %Clov pushes chair.&
2ug the (alls, then #ack t' the cente" again$ %Clov pushes chair.&
I (as "ight in the cente", (asnt I+
CLOV %pushing&:
Yes$
HAMM:
/ed need a &"'&e" (heel4chai"$ /ith #ig (heels$ Bicycle (heels. %*ause.&
A"e y'u hugging+
CLOV %pushing&:
Yes$
HAMM %groping for wall&:
Its a lie. /hy d' y'u lie t' me+
CLOV %bearing closer to wall&:
The"e. The"e.
HAMM:
St'&.
%Clov stops chair close to back wall. Hamm lays his hand against wall.& Old (all.
%*ause.&
Bey'nd is the$$$ 'the" hell$ %*ause. "iolently.&
Cl'se". Cl'se". ;& against.
CLOV:
Take a(ay y'u" hand$
%Hamm withdraws his hand. Clov rams chair against wall.& The"e.
%Hamm leans towards wall, applies his ear to it.&
HAMM:
1' y'u hea"+
%He strikes the wall with his knuckles.& 1' y'u hea"+ 2'll'( #"icks.
%He strikes again.& All thats h'll'(.
%*ause. He straightens up. "iolently.& Thats en'ugh$ Back.
CLOV:
/e haent d'ne the "'und$
HAMM:
Back t' my &lace.
%Clov pushes chair back to center.& Is that my &lace+
CLOV:
Yes, thats y'u" &lace$
HAMM:
Am I "ight in the cente"+
CLOV:
Ill measu"e it$
HAMM:
)'"e '" less. )'"e '" less.
CLOV %moving chair slightly&:
The"e.
HAMM:
Im m'"e '" less in the cente"+
CLOV:
Id say s'$
HAMM:
Y'ud say s'. Put me "ight in the cente".
CLOV:
Ill g' and get the ta&e$
HAMM:
9'ughly. 9'ughly.
%Clov moves chair slightly.& Bang in the cente".
CLOV:
The"e. %*ause.&
HAMM:
I !eel a little t'' !a" t' the le!t$ %Clov moves chair slightly.&
N'( I !eel a little t'' !a" t' the "ight$ %Clov moves chair slightly.&
I !eel a little t'' !a" !'"(a"d$ %Clov moves chair slightly.& N'( I !eel a little t'' !a" #ack$
%Clov moves chair slightly.& 1'nt stay the"e$
y'u gie me the shie"s$
%Clov returns to his place beside the chair.&
CLOV:
I! I c'uld kill him Id die ha&&y$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
/hats the (eathe" like+
CLOV: As usual$ HAMM: L''k at the ea"th$ CLOV: Ie l''ked$ HAMM:
/ith the glass+
CLOV:
N' need '! the glass$
HAMM:
L''k at it (ith the glass$
CLOV:
Ill g' and get the glass$ %-!it Clov.&
HAMM:
N' need '! the glass.
%-nter Clov with telescope.&
CLOV:
Im #ack again, (ith the glass$
%He goes to window right, looks up at it.& I need the ste&s$
HAMM:
/hy+ 2ae y'u sh"unk+ %-!it Clov with telescope.& I d'nt like that, I d'nt like that$
%-nter Clov with ladder, but without telescope.&
CLOV:
Im #ack again, (ith the ste&s$
%He sets down ladder under window right, gets up on it, reali)es he has not the telescope, gets down.&
I need the glass$
%He goes towards door.&
HAMM %violently&:
But y'u hae the glass.
CLOV %halting, violently&:
N', I haent the glass. %-!it Clov.&
This is deadly$
%-nter Clov with the telescope. He goes towards ladder.&
CLOV:
Things a"e liening u&$
%He gets up on ladder, raises the telescope, lets it fall.& I did it 'n &u"&'se$
%He gets down, picks up the telescope, turns it on auditorium.& I see$$$ a multitude$$$ in t"ans&'"ts$$$ '! 0'y$
%*ause. He lowers telescope, looks at it.& Thats (hat I call a magni!ie"$
%He turns toward Hamm.& /ell+ 1'nt (e laugh+
HAMM %after reflection&:
I d'nt$
CLOV %after reflection&:
N'" I$
%He gets up on ladder, turns the telescope on the without.& Lets see$
%He looks, moving the telescope.& 3e"'$$$ %he looks& $$$5e"'$$$ %he looks& $$$and 5e"'$ HAMM:
N'thing sti"s$ All is*
CLOV:
3e"*
HAMM %violently&:
/ait till y'u"e s&'ken t'. %/ormal voice.&
All is$$$ all is$$$ all is (hat+ %"iolently.&
All is (hat+
CLOV:
/hat all is+ In a ('"d+ Is that (hat y'u (ant t' kn'(+ <ust a m'ment$
%He turns the telescope on the without, looks, lowers the telescope, turns towards Hamm.& C'"&sed$ %*ause.& /ell+ C'ntent+ HAMM: L''k at the sea$ CLOV:
Its the same$
L''k at the 'cean.
%Clov gets down, takes a few steps towards window left, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window left, gets up on it, turns the telescope on the without, looks at length. He starts, lowers the telescope, e!amines it, turns it again on the
without.&
CLOV:
Nee" seen anything like that.
HAMM %an!ious&:
/hat+ A sail+ A !in+ Sm'ke+
CLOV %looking&:
The light is sunk$
HAMM %relieved&:
Pah. /e all kne( that$
CLOV %looking&:
The"e (as a #it le!t$
HAMM: The #ase$ CLOV %looking&: Yes$ HAMM: And n'(+ CLOV %looking&: All g'ne$ HAMM: N' gulls+ CLOV %looking&: %ulls. HAMM:
And the h'"i5'n+ N'thing 'n the h'"i5'n+
CLOV %lowering the telescope, turning towards Hamm, e!asperated&:
/hat in %'ds name c'uld the"e #e 'n the h'"i5'n+ %*ause.&
HAMM:
The (aes, h'( a"e the (aes+
CLOV:
The (aes+
%He turns the telescope on the waves.& Lead$
HAMM:
And the sun+
CLOV %looking&:
3e"'$
HAMM:
But it sh'uld #e sinking$ L''k again$
CLOV %looking&:
HAMM:
Is is night al"eady then+
CLOV %looking&:
N'$
HAMM:
Then (hat is it+
CLOV %looking&:
%"ay$
%Lowering the telescope, turning towards Hamm, louder.& %"ay.
%*ause. #till louder.& %99AY.
%*ause. He gets down, approaches Hamm from behind, whispers in his ear.&
HAMM %starting&:
%"ay. 1id I hea" y'u say g"ay+
CLOV:
Light #lack$ F"'m &'le t' &'le$
HAMM:
Y'u e6agge"ate$ %*ause.&
1'nt stay the"e, y'u gie me the shie"s$ %Clov returns to his place beside the chair.&
CLOV:
/hy this !a"ce, day a!te" day+
HAMM:
9'utine$ One nee" kn'(s$ %*ause.&
Last night I sa( inside my #"east$ The"e (as a #ig s'"e$
CLOV:
Pah. Y'u sa( y'u" hea"t$
HAMM: N', it (as liing$ %*ause. 3nguished.& Cl'. CLOV: Yes$ HAMM: /hats ha&&ening+ CLOV:
S'mething is taking its c'u"se$ %*ause.& HAMM: Cl'. CLOV %impatiently&: /hat is it+ HAMM:
/e"e n't #eginning t'$$$ t'$$$ mean s'mething+
CLOV:
)ean s'mething. Y'u and I, mean s'mething. %Brief laugh.&
Ah thats a g''d 'ne.
HAMM:
I ('nde"$ %*ause.&
Imagine i! a "ati'nal #eing came #ack t' ea"th, ('uldnt he #e lia#le t' get ideas int' his head i! he '#se"ed us l'ng en'ugh$
%"oice of rational being.&
Ah, g''d, n'( I see (hat it is, yes, n'( I unde"stand (hat they"e at.
%Clov starts, drops the telescope and begins to scratch his belly with both hands. /ormal voice.&
And (ith'ut g'ing s' !a" as that, (e 'u"seles$$$ %with emotion&
$$$(e 'u"seles$$$ at ce"tain m'ments$$$ %"ehemently.&
T' think &e"ha&s it ('nt all hae #een !'" n'thing.
CLOV %anguished, scratching himself&:
I hae a !lea.
HAMM:
A !lea. A"e the"e still !leas+
CLOV:
On me the"es 'ne$ %#cratching.&
;nless its a c"a# l'use$
HAMM %very perturbed&:
But humanity might sta"t !"'m the"e all 'e" again. Catch him, !'" the l'e '! %'d.
CLOV:
Ill g' and get the &'(de"$ %-!it Clov.&
HAMM:
A !lea. This is a(!ul. /hat a day. %-nter Clov with a sprinkling$tin.&
CLOV:
Im #ack again, (ith the insecticide$
HAMM:
Let him hae it.
%Clov loosens the top of his trousers, pulls it forward and shakes powder into the
aperture. He stoops, looks, waits, starts, fren)iedly shakes more powder, stoops, looks, waits.&
CLOV:
The #asta"d.
HAMM:
CLOV:
L''ks like it$
%He drops the tin and ad+usts his trousers.& ;nless hes laying d'gg'$
HAMM:
Laying. Lying, y'u mean$ ;nless hes lying d'gg'$
CLOV:
Ah+ One says lying+ One d'esnt say laying+
HAMM:
;se y'u" head, cant y'u$ I! he (as laying (ed #e #itched$
CLOV:
Ah$ %*ause.&
/hat a#'ut that &ee+
HAMM:
Im haing it$
CLOV:
Ah thats the s&i"it, thats the s&i"it. %*ause.&
HAMM %with ardour&:
Lets g' !"'m he"e, the t(' '! us. S'uth. Y'u can make a "a!t and the cu""ents (ill ca""y us a(ay, !a" a(ay, t' 'the"$$$ mammals.
CLOV:
%'d !'"#id.
HAMM:
Al'ne, Ill em#a"k al'ne. %et ('"king 'n that "a!t immediately$ T'm'""'( Ill #e g'ne !'"ee"$
CLOV %hastening towards door&:
Ill sta"t st"aight a(ay$
HAMM:
/ait.
%Clov halts.&
/ill the"e #e sha"ks, d' y'u think+
CLOV:
Sha"ks+ I d'nt kn'($ I! the"e a"e the"e (ill #e$ %He goes towards door.&
HAMM:
/ait.
%Clov halts.&
Is it n't yet time !'" my &ain4kille"+
CLOV %violently&:
N'.
%He goes towards door.&
HAMM:
/ait.
2'( a"e y'u" eyes+
CLOV:
Bad$
HAMM:
But y'u can see$
CLOV:
All I (ant$
HAMM:
2'( a"e y'u" legs+
CLOV:
Bad$
HAMM:
But y'u can (alk$
CLOV:
I c'me$$$ and g'$
HAMM:
In my h'use$
%*ause. 1ith prophetic relish.&
One day y'ull #e #lind like me$ Y'ull #e sitting he"e, a s&eck in the 'id, in the da"k, !'"ee", like me$
%*ause.&
One day y'ull say t' y'u"sel!, Im ti"ed, Ill sit d'(n, and y'ull g' and sit d'(n$ Then y'ull say, Im hung"y, Ill get u& and get s'mething t' eat$ But y'u ('nt get u&$ Y'ull say, I sh'uldnt hae sat d'(n, #ut since I hae Ill sit 'n a little l'nge", then Ill get u& and get s'mething t' eat$ But y'u ('nt get u& and y'u ('nt get anything t' eat$ %*ause.&
Y'ull l''k at the (all a (hile, then y'ull say, Ill cl'se my eyes, &e"ha&s hae a little slee&, a!te" that Ill !eel #ette", and y'ull cl'se them$ And (hen y'u '&en them again the"ell #e n' (all any m'"e$
%*ause.&
In!inite em&tiness (ill #e all a"'und y'u, all the "esu""ected dead '! all the ages ('uldnt !ill it, and the"e y'ull #e like a little #it '! g"it in the middle '! the ste&&e$
%*ause.&
Yes, 'ne day y'ull kn'( (hat it is, y'ull #e like me, e6ce&t that y'u ('nt hae any'ne (ith y'u, #ecause y'u ('nt hae had &ity 'n any'ne and #ecause the"e ('nt #e any'ne le!t t' hae &ity 'n y'u$
%*ause.&
CLOV:
Its n't ce"tain$ %*ause.&
And the"es 'ne thing y'u !'"g't$
HAMM:
Ah+
CLOV:
I cant sit d'(n$
/ell y'ull lie d'(n then, (hat the hell. O" y'ull c'me t' a standstill, sim&ly st'& and stand still, the (ay y'u a"e n'($ One day y'ull say, Im ti"ed, Ill st'&$ /hat d'es the attitude matte"+
%*ause.&
CLOV:
S' y'u all (ant me t' leae y'u$
HAMM:
Natu"ally$
CLOV:
Then Ill leae y'u$
HAMM:
Y'u cant leae us$
CLOV:
Then I ('nt leae y'u$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
/hy d'nt y'u !inish us+ %*ause.&
Ill tell y'u the c'm#inati'n '! the cu&#'a"d i! y'u &"'mise t' !inish me$
CLOV:
I c'uldnt !inish y'u$
HAMM:
Then y'u ('nt !inish me$ %*ause.&
CLOV:
Ill leae y'u, I hae things t' d'$
HAMM:
1' y'u "emem#e" (hen y'u came he"e+
CLOV:
N'$ T'' small, y'u t'ld me$
HAMM:
1' y'u "emem#e" y'u" !athe"+
CLOV %wearily&:
Same ans(e"$ %*ause.&
Y'ue asked me these -uesti'ns milli'ns '! times$
HAMM:
I l'e the 'ld -uesti'ns$ %1ith fervour.&
Ah the 'ld -uesti'ns, the 'ld ans(e"s, the"es n'thing like them. %*ause.&
It (as I (as a !athe" t' y'u$
CLOV:
Yes$
%He looks at Hamm fi!edly.& Y'u (e"e that t' me$
HAMM:
)y h'use a h'me !'" y'u$
CLOV:
Yes$
%He looks about him.& This (as that !'" me$
HAMM %proudly&:
But !'" me,
%gesture towards himself& n' !athe"$ But !'" 2amm,
%gesture towards surroundings& n' h'me$
%*ause.&
CLOV:
Ill leae y'u$
HAMM:
1id y'u ee" think '! 'ne thing+
CLOV:
Nee"$
HAMM:
That he"e (e"e d'(n in a h'le$ %*ause.&
But #ey'nd the hills+ Eh+ Pe"ha&s its still g"een$ Eh+ %*ause.&
Fl'"a. P'm'na. %-cstatically.& Ce"es.
%*ause.&
Pe"ha&s y'u ('nt need t' g' e"y !a"$
CLOV:
I cant g' e"y !a"$ %*ause.&
Ill leae y'u$
HAMM: Is my d'g "eady+ CLOV: 2e lacks a leg$ HAMM: Is he silky+ CLOV:
2es kind '! a P'me"anian$
HAMM:
%' and get him$
CLOV:
2e lacks a leg$
%' and get him. %-!it Clov.& /e"e getting 'n$
%-nter Clov holding by one of its three legs a black toy dog.&
CLOV:
Y'u" d'gs a"e he"e$
%He hands the dog to Hamm who feels it, fondles it.&
HAMM:
2es (hite, isnt he+
CLOV:
Nea"ly$
HAMM:
/hat d' y'u mean, nea"ly+ Is he (hite '" isnt he+
CLOV:
2e isnt$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
Y'ue !'"g'tten the se6$
CLOV %ve!ed&:
But he isnt !inished$ The se6 g'es 'n at the end$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
Y'u haent &ut 'n his "i##'n$
CLOV %angrily&:
But he isnt !inished, I tell y'u. Fi"st y'u !inish y'u" d' g and then y'u &ut 'n his "i##'n. %*ause.& HAMM: Can he stand+ CLOV: I d'nt kn'($ HAMM: T"y$
%He hands the dog to Clov who places it on the ground.& /ell+
CLOV:
/ait.
%He s(uats down and tries to get the dog to stand on its three legs, fails, lets it go. he dog falls on its side.&
HAMM %impatiently&:
/ell+
CLOV:
2es standing$
HAMM %groping for the dog&:
/he"e+ /he"e is he+
%Clov holds up the dog in a standing position.&
The"e$
%He takes Hamm0s hand and guides it towards the dog0s head.&
HAMM %his hand on the dog0s head&:
Is he ga5ing at me+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM %proudly&:
As i! he (e"e asking me t' take him !'" a (alk+
CLOV:
I! y'u like$
HAMM %as before&:
O" as i! he (e"e #egging me !'" a #'ne$ %He withdraws his hand.&
Leae him like that, standing the"e im&l'"ing me$ %Clov straightens up. he dog falls on its side.&
CLOV:
Ill leae y'u$
HAMM:
2ae y'u had y'u" isi'ns+
CLOV:
Less$
HAMM:
Is )'the" Peggs light 'n+
CLOV:
Light. 2'( c'uld any'nes light #e 'n+
HAMM:
E6tinguished.
CLOV:
Natu"ally its e6tinguished$ I! its n't 'n its e6tinguished$
HAMM:
N', I mean )'the" Pegg$
CLOV:
But natu"ally shes e6tinguished. %*ause.&
/hats the matte" (ith y'u t'day+
HAMM:
Im taking my c'u"se$ %*ause.&
Is she #u"ied+
CLOV:
Bu"ied. /h' ('uld hae #u"ied he"+
HAMM:
Y'u$
CLOV:
)e. 2aent I en'ugh t' d' (ith'ut #u"ying &e'&le+
But y'ull #u"y me$
CLOV:
N' I ('nt #u"y y'u$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
She (as #'nny 'nce, like a !l'(e" '! the !ield$ %1ith reminiscent leer.&
And a g"eat 'ne !'" the men.
CLOV:
/e t'' (e"e #'nny*'nce$ Its a "a"e thing n't t' hae #een #'nny*'nce$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
%' and get the ga!!$
%Clov goes to the door, halts.&
CLOV:
1' this, d' that, and I d' it$ I nee" "e!use$ /hy+
HAMM:
Y'u"e n't a#le t'$
CLOV:
S''n I ('nt d' it any m'"e$
HAMM:
Y'u ('nt #e a#le t' any m'"e$ %-!it Clov.&
Ah the c"eatu"es, the c"eatu"es, ee"ything has t' #e e6&lained t' them$ %-nter Clov with gaff.&
CLOV:
2e"es y'u" ga!!$ Stick it u&$
%He gives the gaff to Hamm who, wielding it like a puntpole, tries to move his chair.&
HAMM:
1id I m'e+
CLOV:
N'$
%Hamm throws down the gaff.&
HAMM:
%' and get the 'ilcan$
CLOV:
/hat !'"+
HAMM:
T' 'il the cast'"s$
CLOV:
I 'iled them yeste"day$
HAMM:
Yeste"day. /hat d'es that mean+ Yeste"day.
That means that #l''dy a(!ul day, l'ng ag', #e!'"e this #l''dy a(!ul day$ I use the ('"ds y'u taught me$ I! they d'nt mean anything any m'"e, teach me 'the"s$ O" let me #e silent$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
I 'nce kne( a madman (h' th'ught the end '! the ('"ld had c'me$ 2e (as a &ainte"* and eng"ae"$ I had a g"eat !'ndness !'" him$ I used t' g' and see him, in the asylum$ Id take him #y the hand and d"ag him t' the (ind'($ L''k. The"e. All that "ising c'"n. And the"e. L''k. The sails '! the he""ing !leet. All that l'eliness.
%*ause.&
2ed snatch a(ay his hand and g' #ack int' his c'"ne"$ A&&alled$ All he had seen (as ashes$
%*ause.&
2e al'ne had #een s&a"ed$ %*ause.&
F'"g'tten$ %*ause.&
It a&&ea"s the case is$$$ (as n't s'$$$ s' unusual$
CLOV:
A madman+ /hen (as that+
HAMM:
Oh (ay #ack, (ay #ack, y'u (e"ent in the land '! the liing$
CLOV:
%'d #e (ith th'se days$
%*ause. Hamm raises his to(ue.&
HAMM:
I had a g"eat !'ndness !'" him$
%*ause. He puts on his to(ue again.& 2e (as a &ainte"*and eng"ae"$
CLOV:
The"e a"e s' many te""i#le things$
HAMM:
N', n', the"e a"e n't s' many n'($ %*ause.&
Cl'.
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
1' y'u n't think this has g'ne 'n l'ng en'ugh+
CLOV:
Yes. %*ause.& /hat+
HAMM:
This$$$ this$$$ thing$
Ie al(ays th'ught s'$ %*ause.&
Y'u n't+
HAMM %gloomily&:
Then its a day like any 'the" day$
CLOV:
As l'ng as it lasts$ %*ause.&
All li!e l'ng the same inanities$
HAMM:
I cant leae y'u$
CLOV:
I kn'($ And y'u cant !'ll'( me$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
I! y'u leae me h'( shall I kn'(+
CLOV %briskly&:
/ell y'u sim&ly (histle me and i! I d'nt c'me "unning it means Ie le!t y'u$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
Y'u ('nt c'me and kiss me g''d#ye+
CLOV:
Oh I sh'uldnt think s'$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
But y'u might #e me"ely dead in y'u" kitchen$
CLOV:
The "esult ('uld #e the same$
HAMM:
Yes, #ut h'( ('uld I kn'(, i! y'u (e"e me"ely dead in y'u" kitchen+
CLOV:
/ell$$$ s''ne" '" late" Id sta"t t' stink$
HAMM:
Y'u stink al"eady$ The (h'le &lace stinks '! c'"&ses$
CLOV:
The (h'le unie"se$
HAMM %angrily&:
T' hell (ith the unie"se$ %*ause.&
Think '! s'mething$
CLOV:
/hat+
HAMM:
An idea, hae an idea$ %3ngrily.&
CLOV:
Ah g''d$
%He starts pacing to and fro, his eyes fi!ed on the ground, his hands behind his back. He halts.&
The &ains in my legs. Its un#eliea#le. S''n I ('nt #e a#le t' think any m'"e$
HAMM:
Y'u ('nt #e a#le t' leae me$ %Clov resumes his pacing.& /hat a"e y'u d'ing+
CLOV: 2aing an idea$ %He paces.& Ah. %He halts.& HAMM: /hat a #"ain. %*ause.& /ell+ CLOV: /ait.
%He meditates. /ot very convinced.& Yes$$$
%He raises his head.& I hae it. I set the ala"m$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
This is &e"ha&s n't 'ne '! my #"ight days, #ut !"ankly*
CLOV:
Y'u (histle me$ I d'nt c'me$ The ala"m "ings$ Im g'ne$ It d'esnt "ing$ Im dead$ %*ause.&
HAMM:
Is it ('"king+
%*ause. 'mpatiently.& The ala"m, is it ('"king+
CLOV:
/hy ('uldnt it #e ('"king+
HAMM:
Because its ('"ked t'' much$
CLOV:
But its ha"dly ('"ked at all$
HAMM %angrily&:
Then #ecause its ('"ked t'' little.
CLOV:
Ill g' and see$
%-!it Clov. Brief ring of alarm offstage. -nter Clov with alarm$clock. He holds it against Hamm0s ear and releases alarm. hey listen to it ringing to the end. *ause.&
Fit t' (ake the dead. 1id y'u hea" it+
HAMM:
=aguely$
CLOV:
The end is te""i!ic.
HAMM:
I &"e!e" the middle$ %*ause.&
Is is n't time !'" my &ain4kille"+
CLOV:
N'.
%He goes to door, turns.& Ill leae y'u$
HAMM:
Its time !'" my st'"y$ 1' y'u (ant t' listen t' my st'"y+
CLOV:
N'$
HAMM:
Ask my !athe" i! he (ants t' listen t' my st'"y$
%Clov goes to bins, raises the lid of /agg0s, stoops, looks into it. *ause. He straightens up.&
CLOV:
2es aslee&$
HAMM:
/ake him$
%Clov stoops, wakes /agg with the alarm. 4nintelligible words. Clov straightens up.&
CLOV:
2e d'esnt (ant t' listen t' y'u" st'"y$
HAMM:
Ill gie him a #'n4#'n$ %Clov stoops. 3s before.&
CLOV:
2e (ants a suga"4&lum$
HAMM:
2ell get a suga"4&lum$ %Clov stoops. 3s before.&
CLOV:
Its a deal$
%He goes towards door. /agg0s hands appear, gripping the rim. hen the head emerges. Clov reaches door, turns.&
1' y'u #eliee in the li!e t' c'me+
HAMM:
)ine (as al(ays that$ %-!it Clov.&
%'t him that time.
Im listening$
HAMM:
Sc'und"el. /hy did y'u engende" me+
NAGG:
I didnt kn'($
HAMM:
/hat+ /hat didnt y'u kn'(+
NAGG:
That itd #e y'u$ %*ause.&
Y'ull gie me a suga"4&lum+
HAMM:
A!te" the auditi'n$
NAGG: Y'u s(ea"+ HAMM: Yes$ NAGG: On (hat+ HAMM: )y h'n'"$
%*ause. hey laugh heartily.&
NAGG:
T('$
HAMM:
One$
NAGG:
One !'" me and 'ne !'"*
HAMM:
One. Silence. %*ause.& /he"e (as I+ %*ause. Gloomily.&
Its !inished, (e"e !inished$ %*ause.&
Nea"ly !inished$ %*ause.&
The"ell #e n' m'"e s&eech$ %*ause.&
S'mething d"i&&ing in my head, ee" since the !'ntanelles$ %#tifled hilarity of /agg.&
S&lash, s&lash, al(ays 'n the same s&'t$ %*ause.&
Pe"ha&s its a little ein$ %*ause.&
%*ause. ore animated.&
En'ugh '! that, its st'"y time, (he"e (as I+ %*ause. /arrative tone.&
The man came c"a(ling t'(a"ds me, 'n his #elly$ Pale, ('nde"!ully &ale and thin, he seemed 'n the &'int '!*
%*ause. /ormal tone.& N', Ie d'ne that #it$
%*ause. /arrative tone.&
I calmly !illed my &i&e*the mee"schaum, lit it (ith$$$ let us say a esta, d"e( a !e( &u!!s$ Aah.
%*ause.&
/ell, (hat is it y'u (ant+ %*ause.&
It (as an e6t"a4'"dina"ily #itte" day, I "emem#e", 5e"' #y the the"m'mete"$ But c'nside"ing it (as Ch"istmas Ee the"e (as n'thing$$$ e6t"a4'"dina"y a#'ut that$ Seas'na#le (eathe", !'" 'nce in a (ay$
%*ause.&
/ell, (hat ill (ind #l'(s y'u my (ay+ 2e "aised his !ace t' me, #lack (ith mingled di"t and tea"s$
%*ause. /ormal tone.& That sh'uld d' it$ %/arrative tone.&
N' n', d'nt l''k at me, d'nt l''k at me$ 2e d"'&&ed his eyes and mum#led s'mething, a&'l'gies I &"esume$
%*ause.&
Im a #usy man, y'u kn'(, the !inal t'uches, #e!'"e the !estiities, y'u kn'( (hat it is$ %*ause. Forcibly.&
C'me 'n n'(, (hat is the '#0ect '! this inasi'n+ %*ause.&
It (as a gl'"i'us #"ight day, I "emem#e", !i!ty #y the heli'mete", #ut al"eady the sun (as sinking d'(n int' the$$$ d'(n am'ng the dead$
%/ormal voice.& Nicely &ut, that$ %/arrative tone.&
C'me 'n n'(, c'me 'n, &"esent y'u" &etiti'n and let me "esume my la#'"s$ %*ause. /ormal tone.&
The"es English !'" y'u$ Ah (ell$$$ %/arrative tone.&
It (as then he t''k the &lunge$ Its my little 'ne, he said$ Tsstss, a little 'ne, thats #ad$ )y little #'y, he said, as i! the se6 matte"ed$ /he"e did he c'me !"'m+ 2e named the h'le$ A g''d hal!4day, 'n h'"se$ /hat a"e y'u insinuating+ That the &lace is still
inha#ited+ N' n', n't a s'ul, e6ce&t himsel! and the child*assuming he e6isted$ %''d$ I en-ui"ed a#'ut the situati'n at 7', #ey'nd the gul!$ N't a sinne"$ %''d$ And y'u e6&ect me t' #eliee y'u hae le!t y'u" little 'ne #ack the"e, all al'ne, and alie int' the
#a"gain+ C'me n'(. %*ause.&
It (as a h'(ling day, I "emem#e", a hund"ed #y the anen'mete"$ The (ind (as tea"ing u& the dead &ines and s(ee&ing them$$$ a(ay$
%*ause. /ormal tone.& A !ee#le #it, that$ %/arrative tone.&
C'me 'n, man, s&eak u&, (hat is it y'u (ant !"'m me, I hae t' &ut u& my h'lly$ %*ause.&
/ell t' make it sh'"t it !inally t"ans&i"ed that (hat he (anted !"'m me (as$$$ #"ead !'" his #"at+ B"ead+ But I hae n' #"ead, it d'esnt ag"ee (ith me$ %''d$ Then &e"ha&s a little c'"n+
%*ause. /ormal tone.& That sh'uld d' it$ %/arrative tone.&
C'"n, yes, I hae c'"n, its t"ue, in my g"ana"ies$ But use y'u" head$ I gie y'u s'me c'"n, a &'und, a &'und and a hal!, y'u #"ing it #ack t' y'u" child and y'u make him*i! hes still alie*a nice &'t '! &'""idge$
%/agg reacts.&
a nice &'t and a hal! '! &'""idge, !ull '! n'u"ishment$ %''d$ The c'l'"s c'me #ack int' his little cheeks*&e"ha&s$ And then+
%*ause.&
I l'st &atience$ %"iolently.&
;se y'u" head, cant y'u, use y'u" head$ Y'u"e 'n ea"th, the"es n' cu"e !'" that. %*ause.&
It (as an e6ceedingly d"y day, I "emem#e", 5e"' #y the hyg"'mete"$ Ideal (eathe", !'" my lum#ag'$
%*ause. "iolently.&
But (hat in %'ds name d' y'u imagine+ That the ea"th (ill a(ake in the s&"ing+ That the "ie"s and seas (ill "un (ith !ish again+ That the"es manna in heaen still !'"
im#eciles like y'u+ %*ause.&
%"adually I c''led d'(n, su!!iciently at least t' ask him h'( l'ng he had taken 'n the (ay$ Th"ee (h'le days$ %''d$ In (hat c'nditi'n he had le!t the child$ 1ee& in slee&$ %Forcibly.&
But dee& in (hat slee&, dee& in (hat slee& al"eady+ %*ause.&
/ell t' make it sh'"t I !inally '!!e"ed t' take him int' my se"ice$ 2e had t'uched a ch'"d$ And then I imagined al"eady that I (asnt much l'nge" !'" this ('"ld$
%He laughs. *ause.& /ell+
%*ause.&
/ell+ 2e"e i! y'u (e"e ca"e!ul y'u might die a nice natu"al death, in &eace and c'm!'"t$ %*ause.&
/ell+ %*ause.&
%*ause.&
It (as the m'ment I (as (aiting !'"$ %*ause.&
/'uld I c'nsent t' take in the child$$$ %*ause.&
I can see him still, d'(n 'n his knees, his hands !lat 'n the g"'und, gla"ing at me (ith his mad eyes, in de!iance '! my (ishes$
%*ause. /ormal tone.&
Ill s''n hae !inished (ith this st'"y$ %*ause.&
;nless I #"ing in 'the" cha"acte"s$ %*ause.&
But (he"e ('uld I !ind them+ %*ause.&
/he"e ('uld I l''k !'" them+ %*ause. He whistles. -nter Clov.& Let us &"ay t' %'d$
NAGG:
)e suga"4&lum.
CLOV:
The"es a "at in the kitchen.
HAMM:
A "at. A"e the"e still "ats+
CLOV:
In the kitchen the"es 'ne$
HAMM:
And y'u haent e6te"minated him+
CLOV:
2al!$ Y'u distu"#ed us$
HAMM:
2e cant get a(ay+
CLOV:
N'$
HAMM:
Y'ull !inish him late"$ Let us &"ay t' %'d$
CLOV: Again. NAGG: )e suga"4&lum. HAMM: %'d !i"st. %*ause.&
A"e y'u "ight+
CLOV %resigned&:
O!! (e g'$
